A low-power cost-effective flexible solar panel powered device for wireless livestock tracking

Abstract

This paper presents a development of a lowpower device for livestock tracking in an outdoor environment by using RF technologies. The animal tracking device (AnTrack) is self-sustainable with a watertight solar panel(s). The device records the exact location every 15 minutes and when the device is within the radio range of the base station, it automatically sends the data to be relayed to a server Over-the-Air. Analysis can then be done on the location points of each animal. We perform a detailed analysis of the power consumption and prove that our AnTrack is capable of generating enough supply power even when there is no sunshine for a week.